As George W. Bush, president of the world's only superpower, sat before the White House fireplace with Wen Jiabao, premier of the world's only potential emerging superpower, their words were friendly - and at the same time cautious, reflecting unresolved differences in values purportedly upheld by each.
Mr Bush praised China's creation of 'national wealth' but then went on to repeatedly use America's favourite slogan, 'freedom', talking about China's need to have more 'economic freedom' and 'social freedoms'. Mr Bush's perception of freedom in China might change radically if he had the opportunity to join Chinese businessmen for an evening on the town in Beijing or Shanghai. Certainly, on such an occasion he would not be free to go to bed before his usual 10pm retirement.
Anticipating Mr Bush's agenda, Mr Wen addressed the democracy issue head-on, noting that America's democracy began in 1776 and underwent violent and crisis-ridden development during the American civil war, and the universal suffrage and equal rights movements in the 19th and 20th centuries. His point was that America's development of a wholesome formula for democracy spanned two centuries. China, in turn, will also have to undergo its own logical process of development.
He reminded Mr Bush of the differences between the two countries, saying: 'No matter how small the problem is, when multiplied by 1.3 billion, it becomes a very big problem. No matter how refined [a nation's] financial position and materialism, if you divide it by 1.3 billion it becomes quite low per capita.' This is the problem that 'Chinese leaders must always bear in mind', he said.
The 16th Chinese Communist Party Congress report stated a basic principle: 'The future 20 years for China are an important time of strategic opportunity.' China's new leadership is clearly aware that opportunity must be grasped and situations turned around to China's advantage, and shows this through pragmatic and proactive diplomacy. Envisioning potential flash points in China-US relations during a presidential election year, Mr Wen took the initiative in visiting Mr Bush, confronting issues in an attempt to turn them into opportunities.
Mr Bush was prepared to pressure Mr Wen on trade issues, pushing for a revaluation of China's currency. Mr Wen countered, presenting a pragmatic solution. 'We hope America admits the position of China's domestic market economy and abolishes restrictions on our purchase of high technology,' he said.
'On this point I sincerely hope the relevant departments of the American government throw all these past ideas and behaviour, which do not fit the current situation, into the Pacific Ocean. Be bolder and keep up with the times.'